Stocking-inspecting device



STOCKING INSPECTING DEVICE Filed March 19, 1929 L U ATTORNEY? Patented June 17, 1930 PATENT} OFFER W AUGUST 0. SCHOEN, OF LAN'SDALE, PENNSYLVANIA s'rocxme-msrncrrna DEVICE Application filed Mannie, 1929. Serial in. 348,223.

My invention relates to a new and useful stocking inspecting device particularly adapted for supporting and expanding or distending ladies hosiery before the saine It is necessary in the manufacture of stockings firstrto ascertainbefore such stockings" are dyed that the same are free fromknitting imperfections and to mend such imperfections if any before said stockings are dyed.

It is further necessary to turn the stockings inside out before they are subjected to the dyeing operation.

To accomplish these results it has heretofore" been the general practice to spread or i stretch the stocking on a support of a slightly larger size so that the stitches of the stocking are distended to facilitateclose and accurate observation; In this practice it was n'ecessary'to have supports of variou's sizes corresponding to the various sizes, of stockings. In order to guard against excessive or improper stretching or possibly the tearing of the stockings it is always necessary to employ a relativelysmaller support, that is, one which does not expand the stocking to a the maximum limit possible thereby sacrificing from the utility of suchsupport in as far as it serves to disclose the knitting imperfections of the'stockingl' J 1 v 40 After the stocking has'beeninspected, and

if necessarymended, it is necessary for the I operator manually'tfo turn the stocking inside out before the dyeing process can be attempted A further disadvantage of'the practice heretofore prevailing, resided in the fact that no efiicient ,'adequate means were provided'for the proper expansion of the heel and instep portions ofthc stockings. g

It is the object ofmy invention to remedy the defects hereinabove outlined and to proin practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is tobe understood thating'inspecting device embodying my invenvide an expansible support which may be used for theinspection of stockings of various sizes, which properly expands and spreads or'distends the heel and instep as well as the body or leg portions ,ofthe stocking, and which will so support and engagethe stocking that after the latter. has been inspected, 1 and if necessary mended, it will be automatically turned inside out by' the mere Withdrawal of said stocking from said sup ort. To the above ends, my invention consists of an inner, inexpansible, upwardly movable frame; an outer, laterally expansible, sta tionary frame; means carried the upper end of said inner frame for expanding the toe, heel, and'instep portions of astocking; and means for actuating said inner and outer I expansible frame for spreading or distending' the entire area of a stocking mounted on said outer frame.

My invention further consists of means for limiting the expansion of said outer expansible frame to guard against an excessive or improper expansion of the stocking, thereby eliminating all danger 'of tearing or ripping the same.

My invention further consists of means carried by said frames for engaging the foot portion of the stocking while the latter is being withdrawn from saidrexpansible frame or support, thus effecting an automatic turn ing inside out of said stocking, during its withdrawal from my novel device,

v For the purpose ofillustifating'my invention .I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at present preferredby me, since the same has been found the variousv instrumentalities of which ,my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and thatmy inventionis not: limited to the precise arrangement and or ganizaltion of the in'strumentalities as herein shown 'and described.- 1 Y In theiaccompanying drawings: 7 I

Fig. represents a side elevation of a stocki struction.

Fig. 5, represents a fragmentary end View of Fig. 1 showing details of construction.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts, 1 designates a stocking inspecting device embodying my invention,

comprising the inner, rigid, triangular frame 2 composed of the bottom cross member 3 and the upright converging members 4 the upper ends of which mergeinto or are suitably secured to the upright standard 5. The upright converging members 4 are inter-connected by transverse cross bars 6, to

, the lowermost one 7 of which is connected the upper end of the plunger 8, which also passes through or is integral with the bottom cross member 3 of the frame 2, as will be understood from Fig. 1. The plunger 8 is guided in the tubular bearing or sleeve 9 and carries at its lower end the sleeve or collar 10 adjustably secured thereto by the set screw 11. 12 designates a foot pedal 'fulcrumed to the support 13 at 14 and pivoted to the lower end of the plunger 8 at 15 so that a downward pressure on the outer end of said foot pedal will result in an upward movement or elevation of the plunger 8, thus raising the inner rigid frame 2 carried by the upper end of said plunger- At about the ends of the cross bars 6 and 7 interconnecting the converging uprights 4 are pivoted the inner ends of the links 18, the outer ends of which arepivoted to the lugs on the inner surfaces of the outer converging uprights 21 of the outer expansibleframe 22 so that the raising of the inner frame 2 by the action of the pedal 12 results in'expanding or distending the outer expansible frame 22 in the direction of the arrows. The lower ends of the outer converging uprights 21 are notched as at 24 and are guided in the slots 25 at either end of the bottom guide plate 26,

as will be understood from Figs. 1, 3, 4,'and V 5. 27 designates a collar engaging the upper end of the tubular bearing 9, and carrying the set screw 28, which serves to prevent the upward movement of the bottom guide. plate 26,

it being understood that the bearing 9 is pro-. vvided with the hub 29, the annular flange 30 of which is secured to the table or other support 31 by the bolts or other fastening devices 32. To the upper end ofthe upright standard 5 is secured the cross bar 34, which forms a rest for the upper converging ends.

of the outer uprights 21. The upright 5 also carries the arched support 35, hereinafter further referred to. 36 designates a rounded knob suitably secured to the standard 5 and provided with the upper and lower inclined plates 37 whose function will be hereinafter fully set forth. The uprights 21 are bulged as at for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The operation is as follows:

The stocking 39 to be inspected, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2, is drawn downwardly over the outer converging uprights 21 of the expansible frame 22 until the toe portion 10 of the stocking rests upon the arched support 35 carried by the upright standard 5 and the heel portion 41 of. the stockingis engaged by the knob 36 while the portions of the foot of the stocking intermediate the heel and the toe and the heel and the ankle are distended over the upper and lower inclined plates 37. The foot pedal 12 is then depressed to raise the inner rigid frame 2 carried by the plunger 8. This expands the outer converging uprights 21 in the direction of the arrows seen in Fig. 1,. thus spreading or stretching the stocking 39 to make the stitches of the stocking more clearly visible and thus enablethe operator to ascertain any defects or imperfections in the knitting thereof. The inner frame 2, the outer converging expansible frame 22, and the bottom guide plate 26 are rotatably mounted on the plunger 8' so that the entire construction may be revolved to permit the inspection of the entire surfaceof the stocking 39. To prevent excessive raising of the plunger 8 and consequent excessive expansion of the outer frame 22 which might result in damage to the stocking 39, I have provided the collar 44 which is secured to the plunger 8 by the set screw 45 so that when said collar comes in contact with the lower end 46 of the tubular bearing 9 it acts as a stop to limit the upward travel or movement of the plunger 8, thereby limiting the expansion of the outer expansible frame 22. It will be understood that the collar 44: isadjustably secured to the plunger 8 and that the position of said collar on said plunger is determined by the size of the stocking 39 being inspected, thus rendering my entire novel'device adjustable for the. inspection of stockings of various sizes' 7 After the stocking hasbeen inspected, and if necessary mended, it is turned inside. out preparatory to being put through the dyeing process. In order to turn the stocking inside out by means of my novel device, it is merely necessary to grasp'the top 47 of the stocking. and to pull the same upwardly. Dueto the fact. that the body ofthe stocking ismore or less frictionally engaged bythe outer sur face of the converging upright 21,'and due to the fact that the heel portionofsaid stocks ing is engaged by the knob 36, it will be evident that by merely pulling upwardly on the top of the stocking in the manner stated, the

stocking will be automatically turned inside out as the stocking is being withdrawn from the inspecting device. In order to insure the turning inside out of the toe portion 40 of the stocking I have provided the bottom free ends 48 of the arched toe support 35 which, as will be seen from Fig. 1, tend to engage the foot portion of the stocking at a point in proximity to the toe portion thereof so that the toe portion of the stocking is turned inside out completely, by the mere withdrawal of said stocking from said inspecting device in the manner set forth. When the pressure on the lever 12 is relieved, the expansible frame 22 drops into the collapsed position shown inFig. 1.

t will thus be seen that I have devised a novel inspecting device which is adaptedfor the inspection of stockings of various sizes, and that my novel device further serves to enable the stocking to be automatically turned inside out by the mere withdrawal of the stocking from said device, without requiring an further attention on the part of the operator or attendant.

The bulge 50 formed in the uprights 21 serves to stretch the stocking at or about the narrowed portion intermediate the ankle and calf portion thereof to open such blind stitches (if any) as may be found in the narrowing of said stocking.

I am aware thatthe invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiment to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being bad to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character stated, an inner rigid frame, an upper arched support carried by the upper end thereof, an outer expansible frame of substantially the same contour, links pivotally connected to said frames, a plunger connected to the bottom of said inner rigid frame, means engaging and guiding the lower ends of said outer frame, and .means for raising saidplunger and-inner frame to expand said outer frame.

2. In a device of the character stated, an inner substantially triangular rigid frame, an upper arched support carried by the upper end thereof, a horizontally projecting support carried by the upper portion of said frame in proximity to and below said arched support, an outer expansible frame of substantially triangular contour, pivotal connections intermediate said inner and outer frames, and means for raising said innerner frame in proximityto and below said toe support, an outer expanslble frame, plvotal connections intermediate saidframes, a

guide for the lower ends of said outer frame,

and means for raising said inner'frame within saidouter frame to expand thelatter.

4. In a device ofthe character stated, a I

rigid vertically movable inner frame,'an expansible, vertically immovable, revolubly mounted outer'fram e adapted to receive and support, a stocking, pivotal connections common to said frames, means for raising said inner frame toexpand saidouter frame and distend said stocking',,and means carried by the upper portion of said'inner frameyfoiv engaging the heel and'toe portions ofsaid stockingto effect a turning inside out of said withdrawn.

stockingwhile the latter is being fromsaid outer frame. v,

.;5.In; adevice :of. the character stated, a

rigid, verticallyflmovable inner frame, astocking toe supporting and'engaging means carried by the upperend of .said frame,-a

stocking-i heel supporting and engaging means carried-by--the upper; end of said framein proximity to and below said-toe supporting means, an expa'nsible, vertically immovable outer frame, pivotal connections common to said frames, said outer frame being adapted to serve as a support for the body'of a stocking, and means for raising said inner frame.

to expand said outer frame to stretch a stocking carriedthereby, said toe and heelengaging means being adapted to engage said parts while the stocking is being withdrawn from said outer frame to effect a turning inside out of said stocking. I V

1 6'. In a device of the character stated, a plunger, means for raising and lowering said plunger, an inner rigid frame carried by the upper end of said plunger, an outer laterally expansible frame pivotally connected torsaid inner frame and having its lower ends guided in and engaged by a stationary rotary support, an upperarchedsupport carried by the upper end of said inner rigid frame,and a horizontally disposed upwardly and downwardly extending stocking heel support carriedby the upper portion of said inner rigid llO frame in proximity to and below said upper arched support.

7 In a device of'the character" stated,

stationary horizontal support, a tubular hearing therein, a plunger extending through said bearing, means for actuating said plunger upwardly, means for limiting its upward movement, an inner rigid triangular frame carried by said plunger, an arched support carried by the upper end of said inner frame, ahorizontally projecting substantially triangular stocking heel support carried by the upper portion of said inner frame, below and in proximity to said arched support, a lower longitudinal guide plate revolubly carried by saidplungervintermediate said stationary horizontal support and the bottom end of said inner frame, said guideplate being incapable of vertical displacement, a pair of outer, oppositely disposed, upwardly converging uprights-having carry a stocking, links pivotally connected to said frames, a plunger connected tothe bot- V tom'of said inner frameand means for rais ing said plunger and said frame toexpand 1 said outer frame,the latter being outwardly bulged at that'porti'on thereof which corresponds to the narrowed portion in the body of said stocking. 1

v AUGUST C. 'SCHOEN. 

